U.S. patent application number 09/933804 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-23 for computer room air flow.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOC TECHNOLOGY, LLC. Invention is credited to Peltz, Dennis L., Spinazzola, R. Stephen.
Application Number | 20020059804 09/933804 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27539096 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020059804 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spinazzola, R. Stephen ; et
al. |
May 23, 2002 |
Computer room air flow
Abstract
A computer room reduced air flow method and apparatus is
provided which utilizes an increased delta T to reduce the required
air quantity required from an air conditioning system, thus
resulting in a reduced air flow capability. Specifically, the
present invention utilizes an approximately 40.degree. delta T to
reduce the CFM requirements by substantially 50% so as to
correspondingly reduce the required power for the fan by
approximately 50% so as to result in substantial energy savings.
The present invention serves to communicate cooling air from a
cooling apparatus into an air passageway, guiding the cooling air
within the air passageway into the equipment assembly and
introducing the air released from the equipment into either a
plenum for communicating such released air to the cooling apparatus
or introducing the air released from the equipment into the room in
which the equipment and/or cooling apparatus are located.
Inventors: |
Spinazzola, R. Stephen;
(Baltimore, MD) ; Peltz, Dennis L.; (Perry Hill,
MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON SPIVAK MCCLELLAND MAIER & NEUSTADT PC
FOURTH FLOOR
1755 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Assignee: |
TOC TECHNOLOGY, LLC
COMMERCE PLACE ONE SOUTH STREET
BALTIMORE
MD
21202
|
Family ID: |
27539096 |
Appl. No.: |
09/933804 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09933804 |
Aug 22, 2001 |
|
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09842167 |
Apr 26, 2001 |
|
|
|
09933804 |
Aug 22, 2001 |
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09784238 |
Feb 16, 2001 |
|
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60202934 |
May 9, 2000 |
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60183328 |
Feb 18, 2000 |
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60226887 |
Aug 23, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/259.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 7/20745 20130101;
G06F 1/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/259.2 |
International
Class: |
F25D 023/12 |
Claims
1. An air conditioning method, comprising the steps of: supplying
cooling air generated from a cooling apparatus into an air
passageway; guiding the cooling air within the air passageway into
an equipment assembly disposed on a floor through an opening
located in the equipment assembly; communicating the cooling air
from the equipment assembly into a plenum; positioning an air flow
control member in the equipment assembly so as to substantially
evenly distribute cooling air to the equipment located in the
equipment assembly; and communicating the air released from with
said equipment through the cooling apparatus for cooling the
released air.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, which comprises guiding the air
released from the equipment assembly through at least one duct into
a plenum.
3. The method according to claim 2, which comprises at least one
fan for communicating the cooling air into said plenum.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, which comprises cooling the
cooling air generated from the cooling apparatus to a temperature
of substantially 55.degree. F.
5. The method according to claim 4, which comprises heating the air
released from the equipment assembly to a temperature of
substantially 95.degree. F. prior to communicating such air to the
cooling apparatus.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein a temperature
differential between the air supplied to the air passageway from
the cooling apparatus and the air released from the equipment
assembly is substantially 40.degree. F.
7. The method according to claim 1, which comprises positioning a
fan between the cooling apparatus and the equipment assembly and
blowing the air into the equipment assembly by said fan.
8. The method according to claim 1, which comprises positioning at
least one of the cooling apparatus and the equipment assembly in a
computer room.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the room comprises a
computer room and wherein the cooling assembly is located outside
the computer room.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said equipment
assembly comprises at least one computer processing unit.
11. An air conditioning assembly, which comprises: a cooling
apparatus in communication with an air passageway for introducing
cooling air into the passageway; an equipment assembly positionable
on a floor, the equipment having an opening in communication with
said air passageway for receiving the cooling air from the cooling
apparatus; a flow control member positioned upstream of said
equipment assembly so as to substantially evenly distribute the
cooling air to the equipment assembly; and communication means in
communication with the equipment assembly for receiving air flowing
from the equipment assembly which has been heated by the equipment
assembly, said communication means communicating the air heated by
the equipment assembly back to the cooling apparatus for being
cooled.
12. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 11, which
comprises at least one duct interconnecting the equipment assembly
to the communication means for communicating air heated by the
cooling equipment to the cooling assembly.
13. The air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 11, which
comprises at least one fan for communicating the heated air to the
plenum.
14. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein
the cooling apparatus cools the cooling air to a temperature of
substantially 55.degree. F.
15. The air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein
the equipment apparatus heats the air blowing into the plenum to a
temperature of substantially 95.degree. F.
16. The air conditioning assembly according to claim 11, wherein a
temperature differential between the air supplied to the equipment
apparatus and the air introduced into the communication means from
the equipment assembly is substantially 40.degree. F.
17. The method as claimed in claim 1, which comprises positioning
the equipment assembly in a cabinet and positioning the flow
control member in said cabinet upstream of said equipment so as to
control air flow to said equipment.
18. The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 11, which comprises a
cabinet within which the equipment assembly is located and wherein
the control member is positioned so as to be spaced from a wall of
the cabinet so as to form a space within which the cooling air is
communicated prior to being received by the equipment assembly.
19. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein
the equipment assembly comprises at least one computer processing
unit.
20. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said communication
means comprises one of a plenum, a duct and a room.
21. The cooling method claimed in claim 1, wherein the
communication of air from the equipment comprises communicating the
air into one of a plenum, a duct and a room.
22. The cooling method according to claim 1, which comprises
positioning said air passageway in proximity with the floor of a
room.
23. The cooling method claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of
supply cooling air comprises supplying cooling air into a
passageway formed below a floor on which the equipment assembly is
positioned.
24. The cooling apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said air
passageway is positioned in proximity with the floor.
25. The cooling apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said air
passageway is positioned with a plenum formed between the floor and
a base floor.
26. An air conditioning assembly, which comprises: cooling means in
communication with an air passageway for introducing cooling air
into said air passageway; an equipment assembly positionable on a
floor, the equipment having an opening in communication with said
air passageway for receiving the cooling air from the cooling
means; a flow control member positionable upstream of said
equipment assembly so as to substantially evenly distribute the
cooling air to the equipment assembly; and communication means in
communication with the equipment assembly for receiving air flowing
from the equipment assembly which has been heated by the equipment
assembly, said communication means communicating the air heated by
the equipment assembly back to the cooling apparatus for being
cooled.
27. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 26, which
comprises at least one duct means interconnecting the equipment
assembly to the communication means for communicating air heated by
the cooling equipment to the cooling assembly.
28. The air conditioning assembly according to claim 26, which
comprises at least one fan for communicating the heated air to the
plenum.
29. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 26, wherein
the cooling apparatus cools the cooling air to a temperature of
substantially 55.degree. F.
30. The air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 26, wherein
the equipment apparatus heats the air blowing into the plenum to a
temperature of substantially 95.degree. F.
31. The air conditioning assembly according to claim 26, wherein a
temperature differential between the air supplied to the equipment
apparatus and the air introduced into the communication means from
the equipment assembly is substantially 40.degree. F.
32. The method as claimed in claim 1, which comprises positioning
the equipment assembly in cabinet means and positioning the flow
control member in said cabinet means upstream of said equipment so
as to control air flow to said equipment.
33. The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 26, which comprises
cabinet means within which the equipment assembly is located and
wherein the control member is positionable so as to be spaced from
a wall of the cabinet so as to form a space within which the
cooling air is communicated prior to being received by the
equipment assembly.
34. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein
the equipment assembly comprises at least one computer processing
means.
35. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said communication
means comprises one of a plenum, a duct and a room.
36. The cooling method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of
cooling air comprises supplying cooling air into passageway means
formed below a floor on which the equipment assembly is
positioned.
37. An air conditioning method, comprising the steps of: supplying
cooling air generated from a cooling apparatus into an air
passageway; guiding the cooling air within the air passageway into
an equipment assembly disposed on a floor via a supply duct;
positioning an air flow control member in the equipment assembly so
as to substantially evenly distribute cooling air to the equipment
located in the equipment assembly; and introducing the air released
from said equipment assembly into a plenum and communicating the
released air through the cooling apparatus via said plenum for
cooling the released air.
38. The method as claimed in claim 35, which comprises positioning
at least one of said supply duct and plenum above a ceiling portion
of a room and guiding the air released from said equipment assembly
through said at least one duct into the plenum.
39. The method according to claim 38, which comprises positioning
each of said supply duct and plenum above said ceiling for
communicating the cooling air into said plenum by operation of at
least one fan.
40. The method as claimed in claim 37, which comprises positioning
said air passageway in proximity with a ceiling portion of a room
and cooling the cooling air generated from the cooling apparatus to
a temperature of substantially 55.degree. F.
41. The method according to claim 40, which comprises heating the
air released from the equipment assembly to a temperature of
substantially 95.degree. F. prior to communicating the air to a
cooling apparatus.
42. The method according to claim 37, wherein a temperature
differential between the air supply to the air passageway from the
cooling apparatus and the air released into the first plenum from
the equipment assembly is substantially 40.degree. F.
43. The method according to claim 37, which comprises positioning
the fan between the cooling apparatus and the air passageway and
blowing the air into the passageway towards the equipment assembly
by said fan.
44. The method according to claim 37, which comprises positioning
at least one of the equipment assembly and the cooling apparatus in
a computer room.
45. The method according to claim 37, wherein the room comprises a
computer room and wherein the cooling assembly is located outside
the computer room.
46. The method according to claim 37, wherein said equipment
assembly comprises at least one computer processing unit.
47. An air conditioning assembly, which comprises: a cooling
apparatus in communication with an air passageway for introducing
cooling air into the passageway; an equipment assembly positioned
on the floor, the equipment having an opening in communication with
the air passageway for receiving the cooling air from the cooling
apparatus; a flow control member positioned upstream of said
equipment so as to substantially evenly distribute the cooling air
to the equipment assembly; and a plenum in communication with the
equipment assembly for receiving air flowing from the equipment
assembly which has been heated by the equipment assembly, said
first plenum communicating the air heated by the equipment assembly
back to the cooling apparatus for being cooled.
48. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 47, which
comprises at least one duct interconnecting the equipment assembly
to the plenum for communicating air heated by the cooling equipment
into the plenum for being returned to the cooling assembly.
49. The air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 47, first
comprises at least one fan for communicating the heated air to the
plenum.
50. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 47, which
comprises a supply duct for communicating cooling air from the
cooling apparatus to the equipment assembly wherein the cooling
apparatus cools the cooling air to the temperature of substantially
55.degree. F.
51. The air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 47, wherein
the equipment apparatus heats the air blowing into the plenum to a
temperature of substantially 95.degree. F.
52. The air conditioning assembly according to claim 47, wherein a
temperature differential between the air supply to the air
passageway and the air introduced into the plenum from the
equipment assembly is substantially 40.degree. F.
53. A method as claimed in claim 37, which comprises positioning
the equipment assembly in a cabinet and positioning the flow
control member in said cabinet upstream of said equipment so as to
control air flow to said equipment.
54. A cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 47, which comprises a
cabinet within which the equipment assembly is located and wherein
the control member is positioned so as to be spaced from a wall of
the cabinet so as to form a space within which the cooling air is
communicated prior to being received by the equipment assembly.
55. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein
the equipment assembly comprises at least one computer processing
unit.
56. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 50, wherein at
least one of said supply duct and plenum is located above a ceiling
portion of a room.
57. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 56, wherein
each of said supply duct and plenum are located above the ceiling
portion of the room.
58. An air conditioning assembly, which comprises: cooling means in
communication with the near passageway for introducing cooling air
into the passageway; an equipment assembly positioned on a floor,
the equipment having an opening in communication with the air
passageway for receiving the cooling air from the cooling
apparatus; flow control means positioned upstream of said equipment
assembly so as to substantially evenly distribute the cooling air
to the equipment assembly; and plenum means in communication with
equipment assembly for receiving air flowing from the equipment
assembly which has been heated by the equipment assembly, said
plenum means communicating the air heated by the equipment assembly
back to the cooling apparatus for being cooled.
59. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 58, which
comprises at least one duct interconnecting the equipment assembly
to the plenum means for communicating air heated by the cooling
equipment into the plenum means for return to the cooling
assembly.
60. The air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 58, which
comprises at least one fan for communicating the heated air to the
plenum.
61. The air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 58, which
comprises a supply duct for communicating cooling air from the
cooling apparatus to the equipment assembly wherein the cooling
apparatus cools the cooling air to a temperature of substantially
55.degree. F.
62. The air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 58, wherein
the equipment apparatus heats the air blowing into the plenum to a
temperature of substantially 95.degree. F.
63. The air conditioning assembly according to claim 58, wherein a
temperature differential between air supply to the air passageway
and the air introduced into the plenum from the equipment assembly
is substantially 40.degree. F.
64. The method as claimed in claim 37, which comprises positioning
the equipment assembly in cabinet means and positioning the flow
control member in said cabinet means upstream of said equipment so
as to control air flow to said equipment.
65. The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 58, which comprises
cabinet means within which the equipment assembly is located
wherein the control member is positioned so as to be spaced from
the wall of the cabinet means so as to form a space within which
the cooling air is communicated prior to being received by the
equipment assembly.
66. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 58, wherein
the equipment assembly comprises at least one computer processing
means.
67. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 58, where at
least one of said supply duct and plenum means is located above a
ceiling portion of a room.
68. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 67, wherein
each of said supply duct and plenum means are located above the
ceiling portion of the room.
69. An air conditioning method, comprising the steps of: supplying
cooling air generated from a cooling apparatus into an air
passageway; guiding the cooling air within the air passageway and
into an equipment assembly through an opening therein via a plenum;
positioning an air flow control member in the equipment assembly so
as to substantially evenly distribute cooling air to the equipment
located in the equipment assembly; and introducing the air released
from said equipment into a room in which the equipment assembly is
positioned and communicating the released air through the cooling
apparatus for cooling the released air.
70. A method as claimed in claim 69, which comprises guiding the
air released from the equipment assembly into the room via an
opening formed in the equipment assembly.
71. The method according to claim 70, which comprises communicating
the cooling air into the equipment assembly by operation of at
least one fan.
72. The method as claimed in claim 69, which comprises cooling the
cooling air generated from the cooling apparatus to a temperature
of substantially 55.degree. F.
73. The method according to claim 72, which comprises heating the
air released from the equipment assembly to a temperature of
substantially 95.degree. F. prior to communicating such air to the
cooling apparatus.
74. The method according to claim 69, wherein a temperature
differential between the air supplied to the air passageway from
the cooling apparatus and the air released into the plenum from the
equipment assembly is substantially 40.degree. F.
75. The method according to claim 69, which comprises positioning a
fan between the cooling apparatus and the equipment assembly and
blowing the air into the air passageway towards the equipment
assembly by said fan.
76. The method according to claim 69, wherein the room comprises a
computer room and wherein the at least one of the cooling apparatus
and equipment assembly are positioned in the computer room.
77. The method according to claim 69, wherein the room comprises a
computer room, wherein the cooling assembly is located outside the
computer room.
78. The method according to claim 69, wherein said equipment
assembly comprises at least one computer processing unit.
79. An air conditioning assembly, which comprises: a cooling
apparatus in communication with an air passageway for introducing
cooling air into the passageway; an equipment assembly positionable
on a floor, the equipment having an opening formed therein in
communication with the air passageway for receiving the cooling air
from the cooling apparatus; a flow control member positioned
upstream of said equipment assembly so as to substantially evenly
distribute the cooling air to the equipment assembly; and an outlet
member formed in the equipment assembly for receiving air flowing
from the equipment assembly which has been heated by the equipment
assembly, said outlet member communicating the air heated by the
equipment assembly back to the cooling apparatus for being
cooled.
80. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 79, the
passageway including a plenum and which comprises at least one duct
interconnecting the equipment assembly to the plenum for
communicating cooling air thereto from the cooling assembly.
81. The air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 79, which
comprises at least one fan for communicating the heated air to the
plenum.
82. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 79, wherein
the cooling apparatus cools the cooling air to a temperature of
substantially 55.degree. F.
83. The air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 79, wherein
the equipment apparatus heats the air blowing into the plenum to a
temperature of substantially 95.degree. F.
84. The air conditioning assembly according to claim 79, wherein a
temperature differential between the air supply to the air
passageway and the air introduced into the plenum from the
equipment assembly is substantially 40.degree. F.
85. The method as claimed in claim 69, which comprises positioning
the equipment assembly in a cabinet and positioning the flow
control member in said cabinet upstream of said equipment so as to
control air flow to said equipment.
86. The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 79, which comprises a
cabinet within which the equipment assembly is located and wherein
the control member is positioned so as to be spaced from a wall of
the cabinet so as to form a space within which the cooling air is
communicated prior to being received by the equipment assembly.
87. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 79, wherein
the equipment assembly comprises at least one computer processing
unit.
88. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 79, wherein
said plenum is positioned with a ceiling portion of a room within
which the equipment is positioned.
89. An air conditioning assembly, which comprises: cooling means in
communication with an air passageway for introducing cooling air
into the passageway; an equipment assembly positionable on a floor,
the equipment having an opening in communication with the air
passageway for receiving the cooling from the cooling means; flow
control means positioned upstream of said equipment assembly so as
to substantially evenly distribute the cooling air to the equipment
assembly; and outlet means provided in the equipment assembly for
receiving air flowing from the equipment assembly which has been
heated by the equipment assembly, said outlet means communicating
the air heated by the equipment assembly back to the cooling
apparatus for being cooled.
90. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 89, the
passageway including plenum means and which comprises at least one
duct interconnecting the equipment assembly to the plenum means for
communicating cooling air from the cooling assembly.
91. The air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 79, which
comprises at least one fan means for communicating the heating air
from the outlet means wherein the cooling apparatus cools the
cooling air to a temperature of substantially 55.degree. F.
92. The air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 89, wherein
the equipment apparatus heats the air blowing from the outlet means
to a temperature of substantially 95.degree. F.
93. The air conditioning assembly according to claim 89, wherein a
temperature differential between the air supply to the air
passageway and the air communicated from the outlet means from the
equipment assembly is substantially 40.degree. F.
94. A method as claimed in claim 89, which comprises positioning
the equipment assembly in cabinet means and positioning the flow
control means and said cabinet means upstream of said equipment so
as to control air flow to said equipment.
95. The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 89, which comprises
cabinet means within which the equipment assembly is located and
wherein the flow control means is positioned so as to be spaced
from a wall of the cabinet means so as to form a space within which
the cooling air is communicated prior to being received by the
equipment assembly.
96. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 89, wherein
the equipment assembly comprises at least one computer processing
unit.
97. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 79, wherein
said outlet means is in communication with a ceiling portion of a
room within which the equipment assembly is positioned.
98. An air conditioning method, comprising the steps of: supplying
cooling air generated from a cooling apparatus into an air
passageway; guiding the cooling air within the air passageway and
into an equipment assembly via a plenum; communicating the cooling
air introduced into the equipment assembly into said plenum; and
introducing the air released into the plenum from within said
equipment into the plenum and communicating the released air
through the cooling apparatus for cooling the released air.
99. The method as claimed in claim 98, which comprises guiding the
air released from the equipment assembly through at least one
opening in the equipment assembly.
100. The method according to claim 99, which comprises
communicating the cooling air into said plenum by operation of at
least one fan.
101. The method as claimed in claim 98, which comprises cooling the
cooling air generated from the cooling apparatus to a temperature
of substantially 55.degree. F.
102. The method according to claim 101, which comprises heating the
air released from the equipment assembly to a temperature of
substantially 95.degree. F. prior to communicating the air to the
cooling apparatus.
103. The method according to claim 98, wherein a temperature
differential between the air supply to the air passageway from the
cooling apparatus and the air released from the equipment assembly
is substantially 40.degree. F.
104. The method according to claim 98, which comprises positioning
a fan between the cooling apparatus and the air passageway and
blowing the air into the passageway toward the equipment assembly
by said fan.
105. The method according to claim 98, wherein the room comprises a
computer room and wherein at least one of the cooling apparatus and
the equipment assembly are positioned in the computer room.
106. The method according to claim 98, wherein the room comprises a
computer room and wherein the cooling assembly is located outside
the computer room.
107. A method according to claim 98, wherein said equipment
assembly comprises at least one computer processing unit.
108. A method according to claim 98, which comprises positioning an
air flow control member in the equipment assembly so as to
substantially evenly distribute cooling air to the equipment
located in the equipment assembly.
109. An air conditioning assembly, which comprises: a cooling
apparatus in communication with an air passageway of a room for
introducing cooling air into the passageway; an equipment assembly
positioned on the floor, the equipment having an opening in
communication with an opening formed in the floor for receiving the
cooling air from the cooling apparatus; a duct which is in
communication with the air passageway for receiving air blowing
from the cooling equipment assembly which has been heated by the
equipment assembly.
110. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 109, which
comprises at least one duct opening positioned in the equipment
assembly for communicating air heated by the cooling equipment into
a room in which the cooling apparatus is located.
111. The air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 109, which
comprises at least one fan for communicating the heated air to the
plenum.
112. The air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 109, wherein
the cooling apparatus cools the cooling air to a temperature of
substantially 55.degree. F.
113. The air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 109, wherein
the equipment apparatus heats the air flowing into the plenum to a
temperature of substantially 95.degree. F.
114. The air conditioning assembly according to claim 109, wherein
a temperature differential between the air supplied to the air
passageway and the air from the equipment assembly is substantially
40.degree. F.
115. The method as claimed in claim 98, which comprises positioning
the equipment assembly in a cabinet and positioning the flow
control member in said cabinet upstream of said equipment so as to
control air flow to said equipment.
116. The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 98, which comprises
a cabinet within which the equipment assembly is located and
wherein a flow control member is positioned so as to be spaced from
a wall of the cabinet so as to form a space within which the
cooling air is communicated prior to being received by the
equipment assembly.
117. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 98, wherein
the equipment assembly comprises at least one computer processing
unit.
118. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 109, which
comprises a flow control member positioned upstream of said
equipment assembly so as to substantially evenly distribute the
cooling air to the equipment assembly.
119. An air conditioning assembly, which comprises: cooling means
in communication with an air passageway of a room for introducing
cooling air into the passageway; an equipment assembly positioned
on a floor of the room, the equipment having an opening in
communication with an opening formed in the floor for receiving the
cooling air from the cooling apparatus; duct means in communication
with the air passageway for receiving air flowing from the cooling
equipment assembly which has been heated by the equipment
assembly.
120. An conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 119, which
comprises at least one opening in the equipment assembly
communicating air heated by the cooling equipment into a room in
which the cooling apparatus is located.
121. The air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 119, which
comprises at least one fan for communicating the heated air with a
duct.
122. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 119, wherein
the cooling apparatus cools the cooling air to a temperature of
substantially 55.degree. F.
123. The air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 119, wherein
the equipment apparatus heats the air blowing into the duct to a
temperature of substantially 95.degree. F.
124. The air conditioning assembly according to claim 98, wherein a
temperature differential between the air supplied to the air
passageway and the air from the equipment assembly is substantially
40.degree. F.
125. The method as claimed in claim 98, which comprises positioning
the equipment assembly in a cabinet and positioning a flow control
member in said cabinet upstream of said equipment so as to control
air flow to said equipment.
126. The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 98, which comprises
a cabinet means within which the equipment assembly is located and
wherein a flow control means is positioned so as to be spaced from
a wall of the cabinet so as to form a space within which the
cooling air is communicated prior to being received by the
equipment assembly.
127. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 119, wherein
the equipment assembly comprises at least one computer processing
unit.
128. An air conditioning assembly as claimed in claim 119, which
comprises flow control means positioned upstream of said equipment
assembly so as to substantially evenly distribute the cooling air
to the equipment assembly.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application Serial No. 60/226,887, filed Aug. 23, 2000
and is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser.
No. 09/784,238, filed Feb. 16, 2001 (which claims the benefit of
U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/183,328, filed Feb. 18,
2000) and U.S. application Ser. No. 09/842,167 filed Apr. 26, 2001
(which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial
No. 60/202,934, filed May 9, 2000), the disclosure of each of which
is herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a computer room reduced air
flow method and apparatus but is not limited to use in computer
rooms and instead can be utilized with respect to any equipment
assembly requiring cooling which is positioned in a room. The
method and apparatus described below permits achieving energy
savings while reducing the amount of air required to cool
electronic/heat generating equipment, wherein a computer rack heat
extraction device (CRHED) or similar device is utilized. The method
and apparatus permits the collection of heat generating, for
example, by the rack electronic equipment.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Background
[0005] A conventional computer room method and assembly is
illustrated in FIG. 3 which exemplifies the approach for cooling
electronic equipment commonly used currently wherein an array of
racks of equipment are positioned on a raised floor. FIG. 3
illustrates an air-conditioning system used in the method and
apparatus of a conventional system wherein a room space 1 defined
by a room floor 2, side walls 3 and a ceiling 4 having a plurality
of ceiling panels 4a is provided. The room floor 2 is positioned a
predetermined distance above a base floor 5 such that the room
floor 2 and the base floor 5 in combination form a double floor
structure having a free space 6 (i.e., an air passageway) formed
therein. A rack 7 for one or more computer processing units (CPUs)
is disposed on the floor 2 wherein electronic cables for the rack
are capable of being housed in the free space 6 of the double floor
structure but can be specifically communicated to the rack separate
from the free air space, if desired.
[0006] In installing each of the CPUs or other equipment on the
rack of the floor, a plurality of support members 2b can be
provided which are stationary by being fixed by bolts or similar
fastening elements to predetermined positions on the floor 2.
[0007] The rack 7 is positioned in a casing 8 having air inlets 8a
and air outlets 8b formed respectively in a bottom plate of a
casing 8 and in the ceiling portion of the casing 8. A computer
case fan 9 is operable during operation of the equipment 7 so as to
assist the air flow upwardly from the casing through the air
outlets 8b. As shown in FIG. 3, the CPU members are arranged in an
air passageway formed within the casing 8. The floor 2 includes a
plurality of floor panels located on support members or pedestals
2b, one panel 2a of which includes a plurality of perforations to
allow air flow as indicated by the arrows to flow through the front
of the outside housing to casing 8, through the CPU rack 7 and out
the back of casing 8. A cooling unit 14 is positionable either
inside or outside the room 1 and is communicated with a heat
exchanger or other air conditioning equipment so as to permit a
cooling coil 15 located within unit 14 to cool air blowing there
through. The cooling unit 14 also includes a fan 16 which is
positionable below cooling coil 15. An inlet 20 is provided to
allow air from the room to flow thereinto from the room, the air in
the casing 8 mixing with room air prior to being introduced into
the cooling unit 14, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The fan 16 is
therefore arranged between the air inlet 20 and an air outlet 22
located at the lower portion of unit 14 and feeds air into the free
space 6 located above the base floor. The fan 16 thus permits air
in the interior of the room to be sucked into the air inlet 20 of
the casing 8 and also permits the air in the room to pass through
cooling coil 15. The air in the room is typically at a temperature
of 75.degree. F..+-..
[0008] The above-noted approach for cooling electronic equipment
thus permits the area in the free space 6 below the raised floor 2
to be used for cable management and also serves as a supply air
plenum. The computer room air conditioning units (CRACUs) utilize
cooling coil 15 to cool the air. The CRACUs supply conditioned air
at approximately 55.degree. F. to the underfloor supply air plenum
or free space 6. The floor tiles with perforations or slots to
allow air to flow from under the raised floor to above the floor
are positionable below or are located adjacent to the rack 7. Other
perforated tiles are positionable throughout the room to provide
air supply to other heat generating equipment and to maintain the
room at an ambient environment.
[0009] As illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 3 showing the air flow,
the conditioned air is then drawn into the rack 7 by either
convection by air flow from perforated panels 2a and/or opening 8a
to the casing 8 or by fans 9 located in the top of the racks. The
air enters the racks at a temperature of approximately 55.degree.
F., is heated by the CPUs or other electronic equipment, and flows
upwardly out of the rack at approximately a temperature of
95.degree. F. The warm air leaves the rack and mixes with the
conditioned ambient environment of the room 1 which is at a
temperature of approximately 75.degree. F., and thus returns to the
CRACUs at a temperature of approximately 75.degree. F. as
illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0010] Before the foregoing, it can be understood that a
conventional CRACUs have a 20.degree. delta T (.+-.4.degree. F.)
across the cooling coil 15. This is also coincident with the space
delta T which is defined as being the difference in temperature
between the air supplied to the space and the air returned from
such space. The temperature of the air returned from the space is
usually coincident with the ambient space temperature such that the
return air at 75.degree. F. enters the return on top of the CRACUs,
passes along the cooling coil 15 and is discharged at a temperature
of substantially 55.degree. F. at the bottom of unit 14 so as to
pass into the free space 6. The required air quantity to cool such
space is a direct function of the space delta T. The equation set
forth below is used to calculate the required air flow or cubic
feet per minute (CFM) of air to cool a space:
CFM=BTUH/1.08.times.delta T
[0011] From the foregoing, it can be appreciated that the
disadvantage of the conventional system set forth above requires a
significant amount of fan horsepower for operation and thus the
need has arisen for reducing the amount of horsepower necessary to
operate the fan 16.
[0012] Devices of the type described above are exemplified, for
example, by U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,628; U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,631 and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,045, the disclosure of each of which is herein
incorporated by reference, as is the disclosure of parent
application Ser. No. 09/784,238, the priority of which has been
claimed in the present application.
[0013] The original concept by the inventors of the present
application is exemplified by FIG. 4 of the present application.
Such figure shows an air conditioning system used in a method and
apparatus as described in such application. As shown therein, the
room space is defined by room floor 2, sidewalls 3 and an upper
ceiling 4 wherein a lower ceiling 4a is formed, for example, of
ceiling tiles defining, a ceiling plenum 4b, and a base floor 5.
The room floor 2 is formed a predetermined distance from the base
floor such that the room floor 2 and the base floor 5 collectively
form a double floor structure having a free space 6 or air
passageway formed therein within which electric cables may also be
housed. As shown in FIG. 4, air flow from space 6 can enter one
side portion of each of the CPU racks and flow across the same
towards a plenum 8c which can run the full length of the equipment
assembly so as to permit air to flow across each CPU in the rack
and then flow upwardly towards a plurality of ducts 24. The ducts
24 are sealed with respect to the equipment assembly by, for
example, rubber gaskets wherein similar rubber gaskets 26 are
provided between the duct 24 and the lower ceiling 4a. Also
provided are computer case fans 24b and 24c, if desired, to assist
in air flow through the ducts 24.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows an air conditioning system use in the method
and apparatus according to an additional earlier concept also
developed by the inventors. As shown therein, the structure
corresponding to that described above with regard to FIG. 3
utilizes the same reference numbers. In this regard, it is noted
that the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 utilizes an attachment either
on the back or top of the computer rack (or cabinet) to collect the
warm air from the equipment in the rack. The apparatus as shown in
FIG. 1, to the contrary, uses space available within the back and
top of the rack for the same purpose wherein the use of the
existing space allows for both space and cost efficiencies. The
apparatus shown therein utilizes a cavity type front door 8
consisting of a solid outer panel 8f and a perforated plate inner
panel 8b. Cooling air from below the raised floor 2 is directed
first into an air plenum in the bottom of the rack. From the
plenum, the cooling air is directed into the air space or cavity 8d
and the door that extends the entire front of the rack 7. The air
cavity channels the cool air and distributes the cool air more
evenly across the front of the equipment in the rack 7. Therefore,
this improvement in the distribution of air allows for more even
cooling of the equipment.
[0015] The design shown in FIG. 1 also incorporates an air space or
cavity 8e between the perforated plate 8b and the front 7a of the
equipment 7. This air space 8e allows for some re-circulated air to
pass from the back 7b of the rack (i.e., the warm side) to the
front 7a of the rack 7 (the cold side). Some recirculation may be
required since the internal fans (not shown) in the equipment in
the rack 7 may be moving more air than is supplied to the rack from
the under-floor system described above. The above-noted design
allows for either a single fan or a plurality of fans 25 at the top
of the rack to exhaust the heat. The fan or fans 25 may be a single
speed, variable speed or adjustable speed type of fan, depending
upon the specific need for the device. FIG. 2 illustrates the
manner in which perforated panel and the solid panels 8a and 8c at
the front and back of the cabinet are pivotable so as to be opened
for repair and/or replacement of the equipment in the rack 7. The
flow arrow shown in FIG. 5 serves to illustrate the manner in which
air flow occurs, including exiting of air into the ceiling plenum
4b.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a method
and apparatus which utilizes an increased delta T to reduce the
required air quantity, thus resulting in a reduced airflow method
and apparatus. Specifically, the present invention utilizes an
approximately 40.degree. F. delta T to reduce the CFM by
substantially 50%. The substantially 50% reduction in the airflow
will serve to effectively correspondingly reduce the required power
by substantially 50%, resulting in substantial energy savings. A
key element of the method and apparatus is an increase in delta T
above what is conventionally used. The present invention is capable
of operating in a range of delta T from 25.degree. F. to 45.degree.
F. In this regard, it is noted that the use of a 40.degree. F. in
the description set forth below is solely exemplary in illustrating
the device and greater or lesser temperature variations are
possible.
[0017] An object of at least one embodiment of the present
invention is to provide an air conditioning method and apparatus
which utilizes the steps of supplying cooling air generated from a
cooling apparatus into an air passageway formed below a floor;
guiding the cooling air within the air passageway into an equipment
assembly disposed on the floor through an opening located in the
floor; communicating the cooling air introduced into the equipment
assembly into a plenum and introducing the air released from within
the equipment into the plenum for communicating such released air
to the cooling apparatus. The method may also include the step of
guiding the air from the equipment assembly through at least one
duct into the plenum and may include the step of cooling the
cooling air generated from the cooling apparatus to a temperature
of substantially 55.degree. F. while also heating the air released
from the equipment assembly to a temperature of substantially
95.degree. F. prior to introducing such air to the cooling
apparatus so as to form a closed loop in terms of cycling of the
air through the cooling assembly and the equipment assembly.
[0018] A further object of the present invention is to obtain a
temperature differential between the air supplied to the air
passageway or plenum from the cooling apparatus and the air
introduced into the plenum from the equipment assembly so as to be
substantially 40.degree. F., thus permitting lower power
requirements of the fan utilized to assist flow of the air in the
closed loop.
[0019] A further object of the present invention is to position the
fan between the cooling apparatus and the air passageway so as to
permit blowing of the air into the passageway towards the equipment
assembly, although it is understood that the fan can be located
anywhere within the closed loop so as to assist flow of air between
the blowing apparatus and the equipment assembly.
[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
method and apparatus wherein the cooling assembly is located either
within or outside the computer room, the equipment assembly
comprising either at least one computer processing unit or other
type of processing unit in combination with an additional heat
generating equipment or without such equipment. In addition, a
further object, of the present invention is to cool equipment
assembly generating heat which does or does not include computer
equipment.
[0021] An additional object of the present invention is to provide
an air conditioning assembly for performing the method described
above.
[0022] An additional object of the present invention is to provide
a CPU rack housing with a cavity type front door having a
substantially solid outer panel and a perforated plate inner panel
so that cooling air from below the raised floor is directed first
into an air plenum in the bottom of the rack. From the plenum, the
cooling air can be directed into an air space or cavity in the door
that extends the entire front of the rack such that the air cavity
channels cool air and distributes the cool air more evenly across
the front of the equipment in the rack and thus allows for more
even cooling of the equipment.
[0023] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
improved design which incorporates an air space or cavity between
the perforated plate and the front of the equipment so that the air
space allows for some re-circulated air to pass from the back of
the rack (the warm side) to the front of the rack (the cold
side).
[0024] An additional object of the present invention is to permit
either a single fan or a plurality of fans to be positioned at the
top of the rack so as to exhaust the heat wherein the fan or fans
have a single speed, variable speed or adjustable speed capability,
depending upon the specific need for the device.
[0025] Another feature of the device is the ability to cool more
heat generating electronic equipment in a cabinet than can be
cooled with the conventional system. The conventional system as
shown in FIG. 3 has been shown to experience overheating of
equipment at conditions above 4 KW of name plated heat rejection of
electronic equipment per cabinet. A cabinet equipped with the CRHED
and associated improvements will effectively cool up to 8 KW of
name plated heat rejection of electronic equipment. The ability to
cool more equipment in a single cabinet result in more revenue per
unit area of a building.
[0026] Yet an additional feature of the present invention is to
provide a heating and cooling method in accordance with the
above-noted objects wherein cooling air is fed to the heat
generating electronic equipment in the cabinet by means of a
cooling duct in the ceiling which permits air to be fed to the
equipment at a temperature of substantially 55.degree. F. which is
thermally isolated from the remaining volume of the ceiling plenum
itself which permits return of air via a duct from the heating
equipment at a temperature of substantially 95.degree. and which is
returned to the heating and air conditioning system described
above. This permits the cooling air to be fed to the equipment via
the ceiling rather than via than the plenum provided beneath the
floor and above the base floor.
[0027] It is yet an additional object of the present invention to
provide a method and apparatus described in the foregoing paragraph
but wherein the air upon being heated is returned via one or more
fans from the electronic equipment and the heat is released into
the room for return to the heating and air conditioning assembly.
This embodiment permits the cooled air plenum provided in the
ceiling duct to communicate cooled air at a temperature of
substantially 55.degree. F. into the equipment via a duct which
permits heated air from the heat generating electronic equipment to
exit from the cabinet of the equipment into the ceiling for return
to the heating and air conditioning system for being cooled to a
temperature of substantially 55.degree. by the cooling unit 14 so
as to complete the cycle of flow of air to and from the heat
generating electronic equipment in the cabinet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Various features, objects and attendant advantages of the
preferred embodiments are illustrated in the figures of the present
application which serve to explain the principles of the invention,
wherein:
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates an air conditioning method and apparatus
used in an embodiment of the present invention previously developed
by the inventors.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a top view of the structure shown in FIG. 1, which
illustrates the capability of the panels to be pivotable on the
cabinet.
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a conventional air conditioning method
and apparatus; and
[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a concept of the inventors designed for
an air conditioning method and apparatus which was developed
subsequent to the initial embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates an air conditioning method and apparatus
according to the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a top view of the structure shown in FIG. 5, which
illustrates the capability of the panels to be pivotable on the
cabinet.
[0035] FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the air
conditioning method and apparatus in accordance with the present
invention.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a top view of the structure shown in FIG. 7, which
illustrates the capability of the panels to be pivotable on the
cabinet.
[0037] FIG. 9 illustrates a third embodiment of the air
conditioning method and apparatus used in the present invention;
and
[0038] FIG. 10 is a top view of the structure shown in FIG. 9,
which illustrates the capability of the panels to be pivotable on
the cabinet.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the first embodiment in accordance
with the present invention wherein structure similar to that shown
in FIGS. 1-4 is illustrated using the same reference number but in
a 100 series. FIGS. 5 and 6 serve to illustrate the
air-conditioning system used in the method and apparatus of the
present invention wherein a room space 101 is defined by a floor
102, side walls 103 and a ceiling 104 having a plurality of ceiling
panels 104a. The room floor 102 is positioned a predetermined
distance above the base floor 105 such that the room floor 102 and
base floor 105 in combination form a double floor structure having
a free space 106 (i.e. air passageway) formed therein. A rack 107
for one or more computer processing units (CPUs) is disposed in a
casing 108 located on the floor 102 wherein electronic cables for
the rack are capable of being housed in the free space 106 of the
double floor structure but can be specifically communicated through
the rack 107 separate from the free air space, if desired.
[0040] In installing each of the CPUs or other equipment on the
rack on the floor, a plurality of support members can be provided
which are stationary by being fixed by bolts or similar fastening
elements to the predetermined positions on the floor 102.
[0041] The rack 107 is positioned in the casing 108 has the casing
is provided with air inlets 108a and air outlets 108h. A computer
case fan 125 is operable during operation of the rack 107 so as to
assist the flow upwardly from the casing through the air outlets
108h. A cooling unit similar to that of cooling unit 14 illustrated
in FIG. 4 is positionable either inside or outside the room 101 and
is communicated with a heat exchange or other air conditioning
equipment as previously described so as to permit the cooling coil
15 located within the unit 14 to cool air blowing therethrough. The
cooling unit 14 also includes a fan 16 which is positionable below
cooling coil 15 as shown in FIG. 4. Also shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is
the casing 108, inlet 108a in the form of an opening in the bottom
part of the equipment for permitting air at substantially
55.degree. to flow into the equipment, a perforated plate inner
panel 108b, a rear wall 108c of the casing 108, and an air space or
cavity 108d located between panel 108b and the outer wall of the
casing 108 and room space 101. In addition, a single fan or
plurality of fans 125 is provided at opening 108h.
[0042] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 allows for heat
rejected from the rack to be ventilated directly into the space of
the computer room and allows the rack to be used in existing
computer rooms. This improvement as well as the improvement shown
in FIGS. 7-9 provide an improvement to the original design
conceived by the present inventors and permits venting the heat
directly into the room and supplying the air into the top or bottom
portion of the computer room. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 7-8,
the air can be returned to a ceiling plenum 104b to complete the
air conditioning cycle.
[0043] The second embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8 wherein an additional duct 104c is provided for
directly communicating cooled air at a temperature of substantially
55.degree. to an additional duct 108g that directly leads into an
opening 108a formed in the upper portion of the casing 108 as
illustrated in FIG. 7. This permits air to flow downwardly and then
pass through the perforated screen or plate 108b where the air is
recycled back to the entrance portion 107a of the CPU rack and then
subsequently be let out the outlet portion 107b thereof and to flow
upwardly through opening 108h via the use of one or more fans 125
and then to flow into duct 124 for communication of such heated air
at a temperature of substantially 95.degree. F. back into plenum
104b for return of the cooling unit 14 illustrated in FIG. 4 of the
present invention. As can be appreciated from a review of FIGS. 7
and 8, such differs from previous embodiments in that casing 108
can be positioned on the base floor 105 since no cooling air need
flow through the bottom portion thereof. However, as can be
contemplated by one of ordinary skill in the art, it would be
possible to provide a similar plenum to that of 104c and to place
it within a free space 106 as shown in FIG. 5 so as to supplement
the heating and cooling accomplished in the manner shown in FIGS. 7
and 8.
[0044] The third embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 of the present
invention includes a duct 104c similar to that of FIGS. 7 and 8 but
wherein duct 125 is removed and that, instead, a fan or plurality
of fans 125 permit the heated air to be returned directly into the
computer room 101 wherein the air exiting from the casing 108 exits
with a CFM based upon a 40.degree. F. AT load in cabinet 108.
[0045] Additional advantages and modifications readily occur to
those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader
aspects is not limited to the specific details discussed above, and
the illustrated examples shown and described therein may be formed
of structurally equivalent elements. Accordingly, various
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *